Quynh-Thu Xuan Le

(BS ’89, Biology, Chemistry)

For her contributions to the development of new radiotherapy-treatment paradigms for cancer of the head, neck, and lungs, and for her leadership in medicine on prominent national panels and as chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Stanford University.

The past decade has revealed a number of new advances in cancer research, the result of deliberate, persistent, and coordinated efforts of scientists and medical practitioners around the globe.

Oncologist Quynh-Thu Xuan Le has devoted her nearly two-decade career to that effort. She is the first woman to lead Stanford’s radiation-oncology department, one of the oldest and most advanced centers of its type in the country. Her research has led to more effective identification of specific cancer types, a crucial step toward targeted treatment.

“Dr. Le is one of the leading researchers in head and neck cancer in the world,” said Albert Koong, Professor of Radiation Oncology at Stanford.

Le came to such an accomplished career through a remarkable path. In 1979, she and her family were among the thousands of “boat people,” the mass exodus of refugees who fled a crumbling Vietnam by sea. Le, then 12, remembers being crammed into an overpacked boat, sailing harsh conditions, even surviving an encounter with Thai pirates. “It was quite the journey,” Le said.

Le’s father, a doctor who spoke fluent English, settled the family in Northern California in 1981 so that he could train to practice medicine in the United States. Le excelled in school, and just four years later, was accepted to Caltech.

While a student, Le participated in three summer undergraduate research fellowships and credits longtime professor of geography Edwin “Ned” Munger with inspiring her to go into medicine. “Ned was instrumental in scoping my life, perhaps because he wasn’t a scientist,” Le said. “He helped send me to South Africa to work with a university and a hospital in Durban. I realized there that I loved people, that it was hard to see suffering, and that I wanted to devote my life to medicine.”

Through her research, Le has identified a number of biomarkers for specific head and neck tumors; this discovery could aid in targeting treatments quickly. As chair of Stanford’s radiation oncology department, Le is credited for seeking out new technology and research from across multiple disciplines in order to advance more comprehensive therapies. She also chairs a national committee responsible for administering large clinical trials to study radiation and chemotherapy treatments in head and neck cancers.

“We want to identify tumors with ever greater certainty, then deliver treatment with greater precision,” Le said. “New advances in biology, genetic sequencing, and engineering are speeding those efforts, but there is still more to do.”

Ultimately, the goal is to add years—quality years—to a person’s life. I can’t think of a higher calling.

“She is absolutely omnivorous when it comes to techniques that would impact the patient, whether in the lab or clinic,” said Gary Luxton (PhD ’70), radiation physicist and Professor of Radiation Oncology, Emeritus, at Stanford. “She commands enormous respect.”

“For me it always returns to the patient,” Le said. “Ultimately, the goal is to add years—quality years—to a person’s life. I can’t think of a higher calling.”

by Ben TomlinPhoto: Jon Rou

Le is the first woman to lead Stanford School of Medicine's Department of Radiation Oncology, one of the oldest and most advanced centers of its kind in the nation.

Through her research, she has identified a number of biomarkers for specific head and neck tumors.

Illustration of targeted radiation treatment. At Stanford, Le is credited for seeking out new technology and research to advance more comprehensive therapies.

Gary Demos

(BS '71, Engineering and Applied Science)

For his pioneering achievement in the development of computer-generated images (CGI) for use in motion pictures, and in digital film scanning and recording.

Gary A. Flandro

(MS '60, PhD '67, Aeronautics)

For his seminal contributions to the design and engineering of multi-outer-planet missions, including the Grand Tour, the course set for the epic explorations of the Voyager spacecraft.

Jessica Tuchman Mathews

(PhD '74, Biochemistry)

For her contributions to shaping and advancing cooperation between nations on international policy in the areas of nuclear proliferation, human rights, global health, and the environment.

Arthur B. McDonald

(PhD '70, Physics)

For his discovery of neutrino oscillations and demonstration that neutrinos have mass, both of which have changed our understanding of the building blocks of particle physics and of the cosmos as a whole. In 2015, McDonald was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Ronald H. Willens

For his innovative and revolutionary contributions to advanced internet connectivity and telecommunications. He pioneered the Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (RADIUS) as an access server authentication and accounting protocol, which was adapted by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standards.

Regina E. Dugan

(PhD ’93, Mechanical Engineering)

For her sustained record of leadership and innovation in technology and business.

Alexei V. Filippenko

(PhD ’84, Astronomy)

For his contributions to astronomy and his work to enhance the public’s interest in science.

Eric Betzig

(BS ’83, Physics)

For his groundbreaking contributions to microscopy. Betzig pioneered a method known as single-molecule microscopy, or “nanoscopy,” which allows cellular structures at the nanoscale to be observed using an optical microscope, for which he shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2014.

Janet C. Campagna

(MS ’85, Social Science)

For her contributions to quantitative investment and for her leadership in the financial industry. Campagna is the founder of QS Investors, a leading customized solutions and global quantitative equities provider. She is responsible for all business, strategic, and investment decisions within the investment-management firm.

Neil Gehrels

(PhD ’82, Physics)

For his scientific leadership in the study of gamma-ray bursts as well as for his significant contributions to high-energy astrophysics, infrared astronomy, and instrument development.